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Travel The World With a Physics Degree

Physics is at the heart of science and society and is not only essential to our lives today and tomorrow but can be an inspiration to people of all ages. Developments in physics pervade modern society: phones, cars, electricity, holidays, computers, security, satellites and medical devices. Physics gives you the skills needed for a wide range of careers too ranging from those in research and development, teaching and management to marketing and law.

If you�re talking money then the highest paid sectors for physics are finance, telecommunications and the electrical industry � each with an average salary of about �40K!

Karen Bultitude has used physics for a variety of projects across the world and is now working in the area of science communication.

Growing up in a small country town in Australia may not sound like the best start to a career in physics, but I can�t complain� Although my school was very small � I was taught A-level Physics by a Physical Education teacher! � I still received a lot of support for the things I wanted to do. I was very interested in science but wasn�t really sure what I wanted to do so tried to keep my options as broad as possible: I did A-levels in physics, chemistry, advanced maths and geography.

karen bultitude At University I deliberately chose a general science degree, which meant that I could continue to study all the different subjects that I liked, without specialising too soon. I didn�t feel ready to commit to only one subject, and it worked out really well for me. I ended up doing both physics and physical chemistry up until the end of my undergraduate degree, which meant I had to take some extra classes to keep them both going, and also convince both departments that it was a good idea! I managed it in the end and am glad I did so � the combination of the two subjects was very rewarding to me and definitely enhanced my understanding.

At the end of my undergraduate degree I did a project based on an exciting new type of laser. I really enjoyed the work, especially because it was in the field of combustion diagnostics, and therefore combined so many of the subjects I was interested in � chemistry, physics, engineering, aeronautics� I really wanted to continue that type of work, and was lucky enough to get a scholarship to Oxford University to work with one of the world experts in the field. That�s one of the fantastic things about studying science � the laws of nature don�t change depending on the country you�re in, so my knowledge and qualifications are welcome anywhere in the world. I�ve been able to work in Italy, Switzerland, America, Germany, Denmark, New Zealand�

My advice to girls currently trying to decide their career path: believe in yourself, go for subjects YOU are interested in, and never believe the stereotypes!

Karen is involved with the NOISE (New Outlooks In Science & Engineering) campaign which is a new UK-wide campaign funded by the Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). See: www.noisenet.ws

The Institute of Physics provides a wide range of leaflets and booklets, including the definitive guide to HE physics courses, Physics on Course. If you want to know more about physics and about the challenges and rewards of working in physics then please contact:

The Education Department

The Institute of Physics

76 Portland Place, London

W1B 1NT.

Tel: 020 7470 4800 Fax: 020 7470 4848

e-mail: education@iop.org